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Reviews
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson Amazon.com Audiobook Review
The amazing popularity of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone means that now even Muggles know about the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whether or not you've read about Harry, this unabridged audiobook brings his world to life. Reader Jim Dale brings an excellent range of voices to the characters, from well-meaning Hermione's soft, earnest voice to Malfoy's nasal droning; from Professor McGonagall's crisp brogue to Hagrid's broad Somerset accent; and from snarling Mr. Filch to p-p-poor, st-tuttering P-Professor Quirrel. Some of the characterizations are peculiar--why do the centaurs have Welsh accents?--but that's a ... read more The New York Times Book Review, Michael Winerip
...funny, moving and impressive.... Like Harry Potter, [J.K. Rowling] has soared beyond her modest Muggle surroundings to achieve something quite special. The Washington Post Book World, Michael Dirda
Obviously, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone should make any modern 11-year-old a very happy reader. The novel moves quickly, packs in everything from a boa constrictor that winks to a melancholy Zen-spouting centaur to an owl postal system, and ends with a scary surprise.
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Customer Reviews
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Middle to end packed with action.
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Reviewer:
A reader
from Italy
December 14, 1999
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It starts out without Harry in the book and suddenly he comes in and the action rises. A giant comes in his house and tells him he is a wizard and is taken to Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry and the rest of the story is a giant climax.
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Finally a book for the entire family.
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Reviewer:
drkchyld
from South Dakota
December 13, 1999
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I first bought this book due to the asking of my 8 year old cousin. I hadnt heard much about the series and was truly interested. Of course, I read the book, in a day and was truly fascinated with the tale. Luckily enough for me, I had bought this first book when the other books were already out so I didnt have to wait long to read the sequels. So far I have loved them all and have bought them as gifts for all my younger cousins and godchildren. I see no evilness in these books as some people say. They are simply about a boy who is looking for something better in his life, and he is given it. I think the agony he goes through living with his Aunt and Uncle are more troublesome, more devestating to youngsters than his trials at the wizardly school. People who demean this book and the rest of the series, stating it is Satanic or whatnot, are simply looking for something to complain about. I teach high school, and I am making my 9th grade class read the series...it may seem a little young for their tastes but they are enjoying it, just as I did. It is simply a series for the entire family, with no evilness intended. I will continue to share the world of Harry Potter with my family, friends and students, for as long as possible. Everyone has a fantasy - a dream, and Harry Potters was fullfilled. He is living the life he so dreamed of living, and I see nothing wrong with that. The fact that he has to battle *demons* is something we do everyday, only they are portrayed so realistically, although they do much more damage. This is...as I said earlier...just a wonderful family book - series. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Very good book, and I'm not even finished!
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Reviewer:
A reader
from NY, USA
December 13, 1999
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I first heard about these books a few weeks ago on the news, then proceeded to check out Amazon.com...with almost 2000 reviews, this has got to be a good book, so I bought it...it's not good, it's VERY good! It's very consistent and never takes a boring downward spiral...and I'm not even finished! Then come the reviews, which is the deciding point between customers buying it or not. I heard the good reviews and the bad...the bad reviews are probably made by prudish people who want nothing but peace...I can't agree more for peace, but it's never gonna be exactly like you want it. I'm pretty sure kids won't take it that far and try witchcraft, because most likely, it won't work. But that's beside the point. Anyone who wants to read an interesting book should pick this up...I'm sure the other 2 in the series are good, too.
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The Extreme
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Reviewer:
A reader
from Warrensburg, Missouri, USA
December 13, 1999
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I'm not really into Harry Potter even though it was an extreme story. It was really interesting if you are into wizards and stuff like that. I enjoyed reading it but I'm not into wizards and flying brooms. But it kept leading on to read more.
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